Scarlet Ibis

Color is bright red in both sexes, with a long neck, long curved probing bill, black tipped feathers, and perching feet that are only slightly webbed. The Scarlet Ibis is one of the most striking sights in the world of birds, flying, feeding and nesting in large groups. Some birds, especially those in the tropics, stay in the same general area throughout life. The Scarlet Ibis is classified with other birds of tropical America who have few or no close relatives except in other tropical regions.

The uniformly bright-red plumage of the Scarlet Ibis intensifies as the bird grows older. As with flamingos, the brilliant red color of the bird comes from pigments in the bodies of crustaceans on which it feeds. The long curved beak is used to probe for food in mud and shallow water, guided mostly by touch. It flies strongly with its neck extended, almost as if it were gliding. Like other birds, Scarlet Ibis fights with their beak, legs, and wings against enemies in order to protect themselves and their offspring.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Here are a few fun facts:

The bird uses its long beak in a process called preening to clean and smooth its feathers.

Ibises nest in large breeding colonies. Both parents cooperate in building the nest — a loose pile of sticks — and in caring for the young birds.

The young are first featherless, and then a dark brownish color, which slowly changes to the red of their parents as they age.